The head of a local charitable organization claiming to help soldiers incarcerated for crimes allegedly committed during combat instead used donated funds at liquor stores, Redbox kiosks and for other personal purposes, the Ohio Attorney General said Friday.

I'm torn. On the one hand, the guy's a scumbag. On the other hand, it he'd used the money for the intended purpose, it would be benefiting even scummier scumbags.

It is perfectly legal to use the funds for personal expenses, as long as you raise enough money and you are the administrator of the charity giving yourself a salary to operate the charity. Isn't that what United Way is about?

My stepfather get a crap ton of full color glossy flyers from various charity and political organizations (hes a recovering right-wing-nut).

I point out to him that if they are so desperate for money, how can they afford to send out these expensive marketing materials? Wouldn't the donations be better used on purpose with just the minimum spent on marketing?

XanthPrime:It is perfectly legal to use the funds for personal expenses, as long as you raise enough money and you are the administrator of the charity giving yourself a salary to operate the charity. Isn't that what United Way is about?

No, you can't declare yourself a non-profit and spend all the donations on salaries and administration.

If it were that easy, we would all proclaim ourselves as charities and never pay taxes again.

This is pretty much what I'd expect from most "charities". I'm sure there's some good ones out there, but if you want to help someone, you're better off helping those closer to you like your family and friends. There's probably someone in your life right now you could help, and they should be taken care of first before you start sending checks to random people.

Felgraf:thisisarepeat: Saborlas: Someone who raises money for soldiers who shoot noncombatants turned out to be a sleazebag? Color me shocked.

Bout what I expected, sandy vaginal discharge in 3.

I'm not sure they were saying all troops shoot noncombatants. But the guy's charity was, allegedly, to help defend soldiers accused of committing crimes during combat.

Crimes like, I suspect, shooting noncombatants...

I dont think shooting COBs during combat is illegal, it is to be avoided though. Its insane how many people imagine combat as troops easily dispatching "bad guys" that all immediately present as bad guys without doubt. All the while saving babies and impressing the local women with their chivalry. Like a shiatty old episode of Zorro.

Can we please not call soldiers "warriors"? Warrior implies someone who is "warlike". Sure soldiers go to war but in the modern world war should be used to stop or curb violence and oppression. Not glorify it like freaking Huns.

I give my worn out socks and old computer printers to Planned Parenthood.

You're welcome, Planned Parenthood!

not sure if serious but... every Thanksgiving I donate food and old (not tore up) clothing to my local Salvation Army. I say Fark donating to The United Way and Susan B Komen foundation - and I LOVE boobies.

here to help:Can we please not call soldiers "warriors"? Warrior implies someone who is "warlike". Sure soldiers go to war but in the modern world war should be used to stop or curb violence and oppression. Not glorify it like freaking Huns.

"This is the nature of war, whose stake is at once the game and the authority and the justification. Seen so, war is the truest form of divination. It is the testing of one's will and the will of another within that larger will which because it binds them is therefore forced to select. War is the ultimate game because war is at last a forcing of the unity of existence. War is god. " - Cormac McCarthy

captainmaxthedestroyer:here to help: Can we please not call soldiers "warriors"? Warrior implies someone who is "warlike". Sure soldiers go to war but in the modern world war should be used to stop or curb violence and oppression. Not glorify it like freaking Huns.

"This is the nature of war, whose stake is at once the game and the authority and the justification. Seen so, war is the truest form of divination. It is the testing of one's will and the will of another within that larger will which because it binds them is therefore forced to select. War is the ultimate game because war is at last a forcing of the unity of existence. War is god. " - Cormac McCarthy

Said a man who from what I can tell from his wiki has never been near a battlefield or any sort of violence at all, Kind of like the people that typically order these (various) wars.

We really should be on the standard of sacrificing your first born to start a war, if you REALLY believe in it's necessity.

johnson442:Isn't obtaining money under false pretenses also known as "Fraud"? And isn't Fraud a criminal offense? Why no jail time for such?

"A portion of the proceeds goes to...." As long as you have that in tiny print somewhere, I think you can drop a nickel in an envelope and send it to the intended beneficiary, keeping everything else without breaking the law.

here to help:Can we please not call soldiers "warriors"? Warrior implies someone who is "warlike". Sure soldiers go to war but in the modern world war should be used to stop or curb violence and oppression. Not glorify it like freaking Huns.

You really think war isnt glorified by the USA? The country lives off it.

How do you donate things people/organizations need but is not feasible to directly give?

My charity of choice is the local fuel bank, as I have an issue with granny having to choose between eating or keeping the thermostat above 50. It isn't realistic to collect heating oil from donors. Even if it were, the bank makes a dollar go further by getting discounted rates from suppliers.

I certainly don't advocate giving money to unknown charities, but I don't see what the issue is with giving money to a charity that is open with its books and is clearly doing the right thing with donated money.

How do you donate things people/organizations need but is not feasible to directly give?

My charity of choice is the local fuel bank, as I have an issue with granny having to choose between eating or keeping the thermostat above 50. It isn't realistic to collect heating oil from donors. Even if it were, the bank makes a dollar go further by getting discounted rates from suppliers.

I certainly don't advocate giving money to unknown charities, but I don't see what the issue is with giving money to a charity that is open with its books and is clearly doing the right thing with donated money.

Charities often get discounted prices and can do more with a certain amount of money than any individual. Some charities can use donated items more than others. If you trust a charity enough to donate something, it's generally more effective to give them cash than to purchase items to donate.

moothemagiccow:here to help: Can we please not call soldiers "warriors"? Warrior implies someone who is "warlike". Sure soldiers go to war but in the modern world war should be used to stop or curb violence and oppression. Not glorify it like freaking Huns.

You really think war isnt glorified by the USA? The country lives off it.

I didn't say it wasn't. I said it shouldn't. Most normal people don't. Most soldiers don't (especially ones who've seen it up close). It seems like mostly chickenhawks, dummies and scam artists that do. In this case it was a scam artist. Never trust someone trying to sell you patriotism.

albatros183:captainmaxthedestroyer: here to help: Can we please not call soldiers "warriors"? Warrior implies someone who is "warlike". Sure soldiers go to war but in the modern world war should be used to stop or curb violence and oppression. Not glorify it like freaking Huns.

"This is the nature of war, whose stake is at once the game and the authority and the justification. Seen so, war is the truest form of divination. It is the testing of one's will and the will of another within that larger will which because it binds them is therefore forced to select. War is the ultimate game because war is at last a forcing of the unity of existence. War is god. " - Cormac McCarthy

Said a man who from what I can tell from his wiki has never been near a battlefield or any sort of violence at all, Kind of like the people that typically order these (various) wars.

We really should be on the standard of sacrificing your first born to start a war, if you REALLY believe in it's necessity.

Every form of animal life on this planet goes to war of some extent. We're the most advanced species, so we have the most advanced form of war.

I don't understand not wanting to refer to our soldiers as warriors. What's the difference? They both attain their goal via violence.